Playing with Machines

Not having done any sewing for over a week felt awfully weird.  I was finally able to play with fabric again yesterday.  Another tablerunner was the focus--this one made with my new GO! cutter.

The Value die that came with the cutter has three shapes.  Since all three shapes are cut anytime you run it through the press, it makes sense to take advantage of that.

 I layered two strips right sides together for the HSTs and then centered them over the die outlined in Sharpie. For this example I folded the strip over to get four layers.  I then put four squares over the 2 1/2" die.

After topping it with the cutting mat and running it through the press, eight HSTs and four perfectly cut 2 1/2" inch squares were my reward.

Not being used to stitching HSTs this way, a few wanted to be difficult at first and sucked down with the needle.  I plan to get a single hole needle plate soon, since I have read that helps prevent suckage :)  The HSTs will become a chevron striped tablerunner for DD Elaine. I'm using 2 1/2" squares as a new leader-ender project.  I am determined to deal in the New Year with the myriad scraps clogging up my sewing room.  Some more mini quilts and tablerunners for the Shoppe are in my future.

These scraps, for example, have been hanging around for about 10 years; extras from one of the first quilts I made and kept.  I've sketched out some simple pinwheels for their odd size, 2 x 5" bricks.

DD Erica had requested a pot roast dinner while she was here.  This time I chose to make it in the crock pot and it was delicious.  I cooked extra potatoes and carrots separately since my crock pot is about 40 years old and small.  Do you have to leave instructions for your husband, too? 

Erica has made several batches of her world famous chocolate chip cookies while home.  She didn't use these adorable measuring cup mittens but they brightened up the kitchen.  Erica heads home today and we probably won't see her until graduation day in May.  But you never know, she may need to come home for her birthday in March :)  Now I'm off to the Shoppe for a shift.  I'll be playing with wool applique during the slow times.  Happy Sunday!